The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has cautioned Nigerians against “indiscriminate and excessive consumption of chloroquine and similar drugs in the quest to obviously prevent COVID-19.”
The ACPN noted that its members nationwide had seen an “unprecedented demand for chloroquine” since last week’s declaration by the US President, Donald Trump, approving the drug for the treatment of COVID-19.
National President of ACPN, Pharm. Samuel Adekola, in a statement, reiterated that chloroquine was only approved for clinical trial.
He also said the outbreak had increased the workload of pharmacists at the community level as its members now contend “with panic stricken clients who are gradually stripping Pharmacies of essential items which are now becoming a lot more difficult to replenish on the shelves.”
“Community Pharmacists have had to deal with increasing workload caused by panic ordering of drugs in advance but also a directly proportional increase in demand for other basic household care products from antiseptics, soaps, disinfectants and such related products,” he said.
While allaying fears among members of the public, he disclosed that the association had “successfully liaised with NAFDAC” which has given authorisation for the massive central production of affordable hand sanitizers by local manufacturers.
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